Member for Northern Victoria Luke O’Sullivan and Member for Murray Austin Evans after completing the annual Murray Meander.

Nationals MPs Austin Evans (Member for Murray) and Luke O’Sullivan (Member for Northern Victoria) have thrown their support behind the annual Murray Meander fundraising event. The event, which raises money for cancer support and services, sees a small fleet of tin boats “meander” down the picturesque Murray River from Yarrawonga to Thompsons Beach. Mr Evans and Mr O’Sullivan took part in the event last week and there was a swarm of volunteers on the bank all decked out in pink to help make the event a success. Echuca-based charity organisation Horizon Committee has been proudly supporting the event for the past five years. Horizon Committee member Jamie Hearn said this year’s event was extra special as it was the last time it would be held. The reason for this was to allow the organisation to focus on its other major events, he said. Mr Hearn said it was nice to see members from the Nationals involved this year for the first time. In the past three years, the Murray Meander has raised $70,000 for cancer support. Both politicians said it was fantastic to be able to contribute a small amount to a cause that affects so many people as well as having the opportunity of a close up inspection of the river. “It was great to be involved in a charity like this and it was also great to see the health of the river because there is obviously a whole raft of issues facing the Murray at the moment,” Mr O’Sullivan said. With the divisive Murray-Basin Plan continuing to split opinion among experts and politicians, Mr Evans said it was critical all parties unite to do what is best for the river and see out the plan. “It is important not to play politics when it comes to something as important as the Murray River. It needs a bipartisan approach,” Mr Evans said. Mr O’Sullivan said it would be a “disaster” if the plan was to fall apart.